I'm not worried about Bargs. So far this season I have seen a commitment to defence (him and JV play great together) and Bargs getting into the positions he needs to get to on offence. The shot will come.

Bargnani did not play great defense tonight, but he had instances, where they both challenged inside shots (Andrea accounted for the block). Two 7 footers, if both 100% healthy, conditioned, and giving all out effort, we could match up with the league's best.

Bargnani did not play great defense tonight, but he had instances, where they both challenged inside shots (Andrea accounted for the block). Two 7 footers, if both 100% healthy, conditioned, and giving all out effort, we could match up with the league's best.

i think i am one of the biggest bargs' homers on the site here and agree somewhat with this. what i am seeing from bargs on defense in the low post is a player completely unsure of his job. you can watch him start to hedge from the weak side to help but then he seems to remember he has a man too. he then pulls back onto his own man. i'm not sure if that is because his instinct is to leave his man and then his brain tells him his coach wants him to box out and cover his own man or if coach wants him to help but he isn't sure someone has his back if he leaves position.

that said he played really bad on offense this last game. i will take low scoring nights if he is taking it to the hole even on two step runners away from the basket but spot up shooting is wasting his talents.

i think i am one of the biggest bargs' homers on the site here and agree somewhat with this. what i am seeing from bargs on defense in the low post is a player completely unsure of his job. you can watch him start to hedge from the weak side to help but then he seems to remember he has a man too. he then pulls back onto his own man. i'm not sure if that is because his instinct is to leave his man and then his brain tells him his coach wants him to box out and cover his own man or if coach wants him to help but he isn't sure someone has his back if he leaves position.

that said he played really bad on offense this last game. i will take low scoring nights if he is taking it to the hole even on two step runners away from the basket but spot up shooting is wasting his talents.

He's seriously unconditioned. Anyways, I used to play defense like that too. I'm unsure, whether to help out, or to stay on my man.

BUT, now I know. He has to realize where he has to be on the court, depending on the location of the ball. ex: If ball is on the wing, and I'm defending my man on the wing, I've got be ready for the help baseline. I think Bargnani just doesn't have a clear idea on "where do I have to be, when the ball is there?" That's what I've really noticed. I don't think he is a bad defender at all, he shows instances WHEN he is in the proper position, and giving 100%.

Some people still don't understand the things Bargnani does well on defense. Some of these things that he does well are the precisely the things that Valanciunus has gotten a lot of fouls for last year (and in the Olympics).

“I’m going to push him and pull him as much as I can,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “But it’s up to Andrea. The talent is there. He’s the only guy that can pull it out from himself. I think every method in the world, every scenario has been played for him for this organization.”

The bolded part is subtle, yet telling. Like Eric Koreen is suggesting could this be Bargnani's make-or-break year in Toronto?

I've always been a Bargnani supporter, but I could easily see this year being a make-or-break year for him, with both Casey and BC. I think Bargnani and DeRozan both have lots to prove, otherwise they could both be substantial trade chips in the offseason (possibly at the deadline, but less likely IMO).

This could be the season and ensuing offseason where we see BC finally make some serious moves to turn the team from rebuilding/building/treadmill into a contender. If Valanciunas and Lowry prove themselves to be what everybody expects them to be, and the combination of Ross & Fields prove themselves to provide strength/depth at the SG position, than that is 3/5 starting spots and 4/6 top rotation players set. I could see BC making some significant moves to trade DeRozan & Bargnani (and Davis) to address the starting SF position. I could even see him completely blowing up the PF position (Bargnani, Amir, Davis, Acy) and pursuing a strong defensive/rebounding PF via trade or free agency, as that would complement a lineup of Valanciunas, star scoring SF, Fields/Ross and Lowry.

This is the first time where I sense that big changes could be in store for this team, with regards to some long-standing players (ie: Calderon, Bargnani and DeRozan), especially if some of the new and/or young guys prove themselves this season.

I've always been a Bargnani supporter, but I could easily see this year being a make-or-break year for him, with both Casey and BC. I think Bargnani and DeRozan both have lots to prove, otherwise they could both be substantial trade chips in the offseason (possibly at the deadline, but less likely IMO).

This could be the season and ensuing offseason where we see BC finally make some serious moves to turn the team from rebuilding/building/treadmill into a contender. If Valanciunas and Lowry prove themselves to be what everybody expects them to be, and the combination of Ross & Fields prove themselves to provide strength/depth at the SG position, than that is 3/5 starting spots and 4/6 top rotation players set. I could see BC making some significant moves to trade DeRozan & Bargnani (and Davis) to address the starting SF position. I could even see him completely blowing up the PF position (Bargnani, Amir, Davis, Acy) and pursuing a strong defensive/rebounding PF via trade or free agency, as that would complement a lineup of Valanciunas, star scoring SF, Fields/Ross and Lowry.

This is the first time where I sense that big changes could be in store for this team, with regards to some long-standing players (ie: Calderon, Bargnani and DeRozan), especially if some of the new and/or young guys prove themselves this season.

And so it should be. What have the Raps actually done with these players in key roles?

And so it should be. What have the Raps actually done with these players in key roles?

Very true. In the case of DeRozan and Bargnani (and Davis too) they always had the "young with potential" argument to fall back on. This year, however, they have a much improved roster, each player is healthy and still the focal point, plus they have had a full training camp after getting familiar with their new coach last season... I see little room for further excuses.

The key additions of Lowry, Fields, Valanciunas and Ross, along with DeRozan's expiring contract and the looming arrival of the new CBA, are all coming together in a sort of perfect storm for BC to get aggressive at the deadline and next offseason, assuming he gets extended.

And so far in the pre-season, even though he has been struggling offensively, his defence has looked fine. [Eric Koreen]

“That’s evidence of growth, because there are going to be nights where teams take you out of what you want to do,” Casey said. “But you still have to give it to us defensively and also rebounding. Andrea’s done that. That’s where his growth is. But we need him on both ends. We need him offensively because we’re going to go as far as he takes us.”

Found this video on realgm.. by a poster who apparently hates Bargnani:

... of course the video was edited to make a point, however it's disheartening to see Bargnani's lack of effort in situations, when you can see JV busting his ass in the same take. It is preseason, and Bargnani is the only guy guaranteed a starting spot, which could be why he's playing the way he is - at least I hope that's the case.